Duplicating machine



March 18, 1941. A. MARCHEV DUPLICATING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. MARCHEV 2,234,973

DUPLICATING MACHINE March 18, 1941.

Filed May 13, 19258 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 18, 1941. A. MARCHEV DUPLICATIHG MACHINE Filed May 15, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 [bathg QR Patented Mar. 18, 1941 PATENT OFFICE DUPLICATING MACHINE Alfred Marchev, La Grange, Ill., assignmto lDitto, Incorporated, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of West Virginia Application May 13, 1938, Serial No. 207,729

Claims.

My invention relates to wet-process duplicating machines of the type in which a master sheet is carried around by a rotary drum and is brought at each revolution into face engagement with a copy sheet which is moistened very slightly, just before its engagement with the master sheet, by the application of a light film of solvent thereon adapted to soften the ink which is used for forming a design in reverse on the face of the 10 master sheet. It is the object of my invention to provide an improved form and arrangement of parts making up the means by which the solvent is applied to the face of the copy sheet.

Heretofore in this type of machine employing a roller rotating in engagement with an absorbent pad, the pad has been pressed ordinarily with some little force against the face of the roller for insuring ,even distribution of the solvent, and the wear on the felt has necessitated the provision of a fresh pad or strip from time to time. It is one of the objects of my present invention to provide an improved arrangement of mounting and supporting means for a felt pad whereby ready access may be afforded to the felt for making a substitution of a new strip for an old one or for adjusting the position of the felt as might be desired.

My invention comprises further an improved arrangement of yielding means for pressing the pad against the roller so arranged that the supporting parts for the pad shall not be pressed out of operative position with respect to each other when the pad and its supporting means are moved backwardly away from the roller, the

construction being such as to permit ready removal of the pad and its supporting means as a unit if desiredit is another object of my invention to improve devices of this type in sundry details hereinafter W pointed out. The preferred means by which I have accomplished my several objects are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a vertical cross-sectional view through the preferred form of my improved machine,

4K5 many of the parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken at the line 2-2 of Fig. 4, but with some of the parts shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken at line 50 iit of Fig. 4, with certain of the parts shown in changed position.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the parts as shown in Fig. 2, with some of the parts in cross-section taken at the line 4-4 of said Fig.

M 2, and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View taken at the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, Ill and II indicate frame members of any suitable type mounted in spaced relation to each other, each of-said members being reinforced at its inner face by a plate l2 suitably secured thereto. Between the frame members I0 and II, I have mounted a drum l3 which is rotatably supported in position by means of a 10 shaft H. In the arrangement shown, the shaft I I is provided with a gear l5 thereon which is driven through the medium of a pinion l6 carried by a drive shaft ll of any suitable type. The drum [3 is provided in the arrangement shown 15 with grippers ll of any approved type mov-ably supported by a shaft l9 rotatably mounted in the drum and controlled by any suitable type of mechanism as is readily understood in the art, such grippers being adapted to hold a master 20 sheet 20 in position on the drum as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. An impression roll 2| of any approved type is adiustably mounted in position to press against the drum l3, such roll in the arrangement shown being supported by a bell- 25 crank lever 22 of any suitable type adapted to be adjusted for controlling the pressure against the drum by means of set-screws 23 which bear against an eccentric device 24 as is well understood in machines of this type. 30

For carrying copy sheets into engagement with the drum l3 and the impression roll 2|, 1 have provided feed rollers 25 and 26 carried by shafts 21 and 28 respectively, the roller 25 being formed of rubber, and the roller 26 being also formed of 35. rubber but having a facing 29 of felt or other absorbent material thereon. in the arrangement shown, the feed roller 25 is provided with a pinion 3% which meshes with an idler pinion it which in turn is driven by a gear 32 carried by the drum til, the arrangement being such that the roller and the drum rotate at the same surface speed. The roller 26 is driven by frictional contact with the roller 25 or with a copy sheet interposed between the rollers 25 and 2b as hereinafter set forth. In the arrangement shown, the shaft N is journalled in the frame members to and it, while the shaft 28 of the roller 25 is supported by arms 3i] pivotally mounted upon studs it carried by the frame members It and 5 "l l. A rearwardly extending portion 35 of one or both of the arms 33 is pressed downwardly by a coiled spring 36 for pressing the roller 26 upwardly toward the roller 25.

A well-known form of pump means is provided for feeding solvent in the novel manner as hereinafter .set forth. This solvent supply means comprises a receptacle 87! adapted to contain a suitable supp y of liquid solvent of the desired type, such receptacle being provided with a force lever 43 pivotally mounted thereon adjacent to the lever 4| and having a lug 44 engaging the bottom face of said lever 4| at a shoot distance from the pivot 42. Upon its forward end the lever 43 is provided with a roller 45 which engages with a cam 46 which is constrained to move with the drum 13. The arrangement is such that when the drum I3 is driven in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 1, thelever 43 is forced downwardly against the action of a spring 41 so as to cause the lever 4| to swing upwardly for giving the pump rod 40 an upward stroke. The spring of the pump then becomes effective under the control of the cam 46 for causing an operative downward stroke of the pump rod, the stroke being kept continuous and uniform as the drum l3 and the cam 46 rotate.

As is usual in a machine of this type, a table 49 is provided opposite the feed rollers 25 and 26 in position for feeding copy sheets one at a time forward into.the bite of said feed rollers. In the arrangement shown, the table 49 is mounted so as to be readily removable when desired. Copy sheets pushed forward along the table 49 pass between the feed rollers 25 and 26 so as to be fed between the drum l3 and the impression roll 2|, the copy sheet to be fed forward along the table in proper timed relation to the position of the master sheet 20 on the drum so as to cause the copy Sheet to be brought into face engagement with the master sheet. A tray 50 of any suitable type is provided in front of the drum for receiving the copy sheets from the drum.

My novel means for feeding solvent to the roller 25 and for distributing the/solvent evenly on the face of the roller comprises a. transverse- 1y extending pipe 51 having a series of small openings 52 in its lower face, as is best shown in Fig. 5, such pipe beingpositioned directly above the roller 25, as is best shown in Fig. 3. The openings 52 are of such size and such arrangement along the pipe 5| as to cause the solvent to be Sprayed evenly through the openings 52 throughout the entire length of the pipe 5|, the solvent being delivered directly to the face of the roller 25, as is clearly shown at 53 in Figs. 2 and 3. A shield 54 of any suitable type is provided in position between the roller 25 and the drum l3 for preventing the solvent from splashing upon the face of the master sheet 26 as it is carried around by the drum.

For spreading the solvent upon the face of the roller after the solvent has been sprayed evenly thereon, I have provided a pad 55 of felt or other absorbent material. In the arrangement shown, the pad 55 is normally mounted in position on the rear face of a cross-plate 56 which is mounted in position above the roller 25 by means of rearwardly extending flanges 571 at its end portions. As is best shown in Fig. 4, each of the flanges 51 is provided with a, trunnion 58, the trunnion 56 at the right of said Fig. 4 being supported by a socket member 59 removably mounted in the frame member H and the trunnion 56 at the left in said Fig. 4 being supported by a socket member 66 which is removably mounted in the frame member ID, a nut 6! being mounted by means of screw-threads on the outer end of the socket member 66 for holding it releasably in position.

As is best shown in Fig. 2, the pad 55 extends downwardly beyond the lower edge of the cross plate 56 so'asv to be capable of being pressed against the face of the roller 25. For pressing the pad yieldingly against the roller, I have provided a bracket 62 which is journalled upon the socket member in position to engage the front face of a lug 63 carried by a fixed bracket 64 mounted upon the flange 51 of the cross-plate 56. Upon the hub 65 of the rotatable bracket 62, I have provided a coiled spring 66 which engages both the bracket 62 and a pin 61 mounted on the frame member ID so as to urge the bracket 62 in counter clockwise direction in Fig. 2 for pressing the pad 55 against the roller 25.

The means for mounting the pad 55 upon the rear face of the cross-plate 56 is such, in the arrangement shown, as to permit a ready movement of the pad out of engagement with said plate. In my improved arrangement, the pad 55 is carried by a plate 68 provided with arms 69 which are pivotally connected at their lower ends with arms 10 carried by the flanges 57 of the plate 56. The pad 55 is mounted upon the plate 68 by means of pins ll extending through suitable openings in the pad. The arrangement is such that the plate 68 can be moved upwardly into the position as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 for holding the pad 55 in position between the plates 56 and 68 or can be moved downwardly into the position as shown in Fig. 3 for supporting the pad in substantially horizontal Position. Latch members I2 of any suitable type are carried by the plate 68 for releasably connecting the plate 66 with the plate 56, such latch members I2 being releasably held in position by means of springs 13. Whenever it is desired that the plate 68 be moved downwardly and backwardly away from the plate 56 for providing access to the pad 55, it is necessary that the table 49 be first moved out of position. The plate 68 is supported in the position as shown in Fig. 3 by means of rubber pads 14 mounted on the framework in position to receive the arms 69 thereon.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the rotatable bracket 62 is provided at its front edge with a notch 15 adapted by engagement with the pin 61 to limit the movement of the plate 56 in counter clockwise direction in Figs. 2 and 3 when the pad 55 is moved out of engagement with the roller 25, so as to hold the plate out of contact with the roller 25.

In my improved arrangement, the cam 46 is in such position as to cause the operative stroke of the pump in the receptacle 31 to begin at about the time when the master sheet reaches the position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 ready for the delivery of a copy sheet to the feed rollers 25 and 26. The arrangement is such that solvent is delivered under pressure through the feed pipe 39 continuously from the time when the operative stroke of the pump begins until such time as the operative movement of the levers 4i and 43 by the sprin d'i is terminated. Adjustable means is provided in my improved machine for terminating the operative stroke of the levers 6i and 63 at any desired point. When the portion of the copy sheet which is to receive ink has passed the moistening roller 25, there is no object in spraying additional solvent on the copy sheet. My improved means is accordingly arranged for stopping the delivery of solvent at the time when the need of solvent on the copy sheet terminates. This means comprises an arm 16 depending from the lever 4| having a roller ll on its lower end engaging a cam 18 rotatably mounted in position by means of a shaft 19. By turning the shaft 19 and the cam I8 in clockwise direction in Fig. 1, the stroke of the lever 49 in counter clockwise direction in said Fig. 1 is limited, serving thus to control the length of the period during which the pump is active for delivering solvent to the roller 25.

By the use of my improved arrangement, I have obtained improved results in the matter of the even delivery of the solvent to the copy sheet. the arrangement with respect to the mounting of the absorbent pad whereby access is readily had to the pad for adjusting it or for replacing a used pad. My improved arrangement is such that the pad and its supporting parts can readily be removed as a unit when desired without any substantial disarrangement of the spring 66 and its cooperating parts, this result being attained by the use of the rotatable bracket 62 and its 00- operating parts.

While I prefer to employ the form and arrangement of parts as shown in my drawings and as above described, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the form shown except so far as the claims may be so limited, since it is evident that changes might well be made in the arrangement shown without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a moistening mechanism for a duplicating machine in which copy sheets are fed into impression relationship to a master sheet carried around by a drum, the combination of a roller engaging a copy sheet on its way to the drum,

a spray device connected with a source of solvent under pressure for delivering solvent to the face of the roller at spaced points therealong, and a second roller having a facing of absorbent material rotatably mounted in engagement with the bottom face of said first named roller so as to cooperate therewith for forwarding copy sheets to the drum and effective for taking surplus solvent from said first-named roller.

2. In a moistening mechanism for a duplicating machine in which copy sheets are fed into impression relationship to a master sheet carried around by a drum, the combination of a roller adjacent to said drum in position to engage a copy sheet passing to the drum, an absorbent pad, and means for supporting said pad in position to press against said roller, comprising a cross-plate movably mounted in substantially vertical position above said roller, a second crossplate pivotally connected with said first-named cross-plate so as to swing from a, position in slightly spaced relation to said first-named crossplate to a lowered position below and behind said roller so as to provide access to said roller and plates, means for mounting said pad on said second plate, and yielding means urging said firstnamed plate in the direction for carrying the pad into engagement with the roller.

3. In a moistening mechanism for a duplicating" machine in which copy sheets are fed into impression relationship to a master sheet carried I have also improved very substantially around by a drum, the combination of a roller adjacent to said drum in position to engage a copy sheet passing to the drum, an absorbent pad, and means for supporting said pad in position to press against said roller, comprising a cross-plate movable toward and from said roller, means detachably mounting said pad on said plate so as to engagesaid roller in one position of the plate, yielding means urging said plate in the direction for carrying the pad into engagement with the roller, and means for limiting the movement of said plate by said yielding means when said pad is removed from said plate so as to hold the plate out of contact with said roller.

4. In a moistening mechanism for a duplicating machine -in which copy sheets are fed into impression relationship to a master sheet carried around by a drum, the combination of a roller adjacent to said drum in position to en-- gage a copy sheet passing to the drum, an absorbent pad, and means for supporting said pad in position to press against said roller, comprising a cross-plate movable toward and from said roller, a second plate pivotally connected with said first-named plate so as to swing toward and from said first-named plate, latch means for holding said secondplate releasably against movement away from said first-named plate. means for releasably mounting said pad on said second plate so as to be held between said plates in position to engage said roller in one position of said first-named plate, and yielding means urging said first-named plate into position to pres the pad against the roller.

5. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a drum. means for rotating said drum, means for securing a master sheet on said drum so as to be carried around thereby, means for carrying copy sheets along in engagement with said master sheet, a roller adjacent to said drum in position to engage a copy sheet passing to the drum, an absorbent pad, and means for supporting said pad in position to press against said roller, comprising a cross-plate movable toward and from said roller, a, second plate pivotally mounted on a longitudinal axis on said first named plate, pins on said second plate engaging openings through said pad for holding the pad removably in position, releasable means for holding said second plate swung toward said first named plate for holding said pad between the plates with a portion of the pad extending 'beyond the first named plate so as to engage said roller in one position of said first named plate, and yielding means urging said first named plate into position for carrying the pad into engagement with said roller.

6. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rotating said drum, means for securing a master sheet on said drum so as to be carried around thereby, means for carrying copy sheets along in engagement with said master sheet, a roller mounted on said frame adjacent to said drum in position to engage a copy sheet passing to the drum, a cross-plate swingingly mounted on said frame on a, longitudinal axis adjacent to said roller so as to stand in substantially tangential position with respect to the roller, an absorbent pad mounted on said plate so as to press on the face of said roller in one position of the plate, a bracket rotatably mounted on said frame adapted by rotary movement in one direction to cause saidpad to engage said roller, and spring means urging said bracket in the direction for carrying the pad into engagement with the roller.

7. In a duplicating machine, the combination of a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rotating said drum, means for securing a master sheet on said drum so as to-be carried around thereby, means for carrying copy sheets along in engagement with said master sheet, a roller mounted on said frame adjacent to said drum in position to engage a copy sheet passing to the drum, 8. plate having trunnions on its end portions, sockets carried by the frame in position to engage said trunnions for supporting said plate in substantially tangential position with respect to the roller and adiustable outward- 1y with respect to each other for releasing said plate, an absorbent pad mounted on said plate so as to press on the face of said roller in one position of the plate, a bracket rotatably mounted on said frame adapted by rotary movement in one direction to cause said pad to engage said roller, and spring means urging said bracket in the direction for carrying the pad into engagement with the roller.

8. In a moistening mechanism, the combination of a roller rotatably mounted on a transverse horizontal axis, a vertically disposed plate mounted in substantially tangential position with respect to said roller above the roller at the downwardly moving face portion thereof, an absorbent pad, and pivotally mounted means adapted to support the pad pressed into face engagement with said plate and roller and adapted to swing the pad into and out of engagement with said roller with no scraping effect by the pad on said plate.

9. In a moistening mechanism, the combination of a roller rotatably mounted on a transverse horizontal axis, two members pivotally mounted opposite to each other on a transverse horizontal axis at a higher level than that of the roller and extending downwardly beyond the said roller and adapted to swing the pad into 10 and out of engagement with the roller with substantially no movement of the pad circumferentially of the roller when in contact therewith, and means adapted normally to hold said firstnamed pivotally mounted members swung toward said roller for causing the pad to pressagainst the face of the roller.

10. In a moistening mechanism, the combination of a roller rotatably mounted on a transverse horizontal axis, two members pivotally mounted opposite to each other on a transverse horizontal axis at a higher level than that of the roller and extending downwardly beyond the roller, an absorbent pad, supporting means for said pad pivotally mounted on said first-named pivotally mounted members on a transverse horizontal axis at a lower level than that of the roller so as to be enabled to swing said pad into and out of engagement with the roller with substantially no movement of the pad circumferentially of the roller when in contact therewith, and yielding means adapted by pressure on said first-named pivotally mounted members in the direction for moving their lower end portions toward the roller to press said pad firmly against the face of the roller.

ALFRED MARCHEV. 

